The curse of the international break, injury and the EPL by @Komptrolla

When Arsene Wenger went all religious at his post match press conference after seeing his erratic team dismiss Manchester United at the Emirates, a lot wondered what came over him, but watching the unwanted stretcher wheeling off your favorite player during the international break, you'll understand the French veteran who knows quite well that his bunch needed just the shadow of the monstrous injury curse to get depleted.

A lot would argue that the international break is the most hated phenomenon in football, followed closely by the winter transfer window, but it's here to stay. The whole essence of the league form of most players is to stay relevant in the national team, so cancelling the horror show is quite impossible.

Manchester City are the worst hit English Premier League team of this particular installment of the international break; Sergio Aguero was stretchered out in pains and tears as Argentina slumped to defeat against Paraguay in the absence of their football god Lionel Messi, the muscle tear sadly means the EPL current highest goal scorer will likely miss the Manchester derby. Like that wasn't bad enough for the log leaders, David Silva turned his ankle as Spain negotiated Euro qualifications with week's of absence written all over the injury.

Elsewhere, across town, Manchester United will be licking their wounds as Wayne Rooney was shut out of the England party with injury and Michael Carrick withdrew due to injury too.

Chelsea's bizarre fortunes took another major hit as Branislav Ivanovic hobbled off injured in the qualifiers too. Matic picked a knock in the same vein but was able to return for the final group match.

League action resumes this weekend and the only top EPL team with clean bill of health is surprisingly Arsenal, quite unusual as Arsenal's season often fall apart at this hour as a player or two always flirt with physios for months afterwards. In a twist, Arsenal players have enjoyed a rich vein of scoring form and historic landmarks with their national teams. It's up to the weekend to tell if this will be replicated in the league.

For Liverpool, it's reality time for Jurgen Klopp, the weight of expectation makes his surroundings heavy, how his magics will work with his unenviable inheritance from a certain Welshman is left to be seen, but his charisma for sure is worth looking forward to. Chelsea must turn things around, they must stick with Jose Mourinho too, United must bounce back after that twenty minutes capitulation at the Emirates, City must shrug off injuries as Arsenal lurks behind them... And the rest of the bunch must turn out something special to keep their respective places. Welcome back to the EPL Sam Alardyce.